Funky Voice Training Techniques

[Guest JazzySmurf]

Ok, so I'm not really sure why, I thought maybe this could be cute :-)

When I was working on my voice, I would hold a frying pan in front of my face, and talk straight into it o.O I found that it provides immediate feedback and better feedback than my voice recorder (i.e., no static/background noise). Also, when I started dating my current boyfriend, we would often talk until I had to whisper.

Would you be willing to share your funky/silly/awesome voice training techniques?

[Guest Sarah Faith]

Hey Sam, I have read guides actually suggesting using a pan before though I've never actually used it my self. I agree though that recording isn't that helpful either! I honestly kind of fell into my voice, I already did alot of funny voices for fun so it wasn't difficult after reading one guide online awhile back that I sort of just easily slipped into it, but I didn't really have the ability to use it for more than a few minutes. So just using it when Ive had a chance practicing, in the shower, on the treadmill, in my car. Any time I could practice that no one could hear!

Now I'm actually working on developing my singing voice and Im kinda there, but there are definitely some notes I cant hit just yet with out really straining my voice. Such a pain! lol

[Guest JazzySmurf]

Yay singing! I can't sing, but I think it'd be neat to meet a trans person who can really sing :-) They're probably out there...

[megandb]

Yay singing! I can't sing, but I think it'd be neat to meet a trans person who can really sing :-) They're probably out there...

I like to think I can sing, I think im ok at it but from what others say, apperantly I cant sing that well lol

[Guest Sarah Faith]

I didn't say that I could sing really well! I'm getting better though now that I'm actually doing the proper singing exercises. It really depends on the notes in the music I'm trying to sing, even with music that is meant for my vocal range I struggle with the highest notes. I have this really bad habit of going into falsetto to fake it. I am able to get much closer to the highest notes for my vocal range but when my voice starts to feel scratchy I stop not wanting to damage my vocal cords.. so its slow going.

I think any transperson can sing, its just a matter of not trying to sing outside of ones vocal range. That was my issue originally as I was trying to go way outside of my vocal range like I was subconsciously trying to overcompensate. In classical terms I am a Contralto, and once I started focusing on my voice in that range I was able to do FAR better than I had with my female voice for signing. Honestly though it really is taking a lot more effort and focused practice to strengthen my singing voice than it did my speaking voice.

I can say though that developing my singing voice is also improving my speaking voice as I am developing far better range especially when expressing words differently.

[Guest JazzySmurf]

Yay singing! I can't sing, but I think it'd be neat to meet a trans person who can really sing :-) They're probably out there...

I like to think I can sing, I think im ok at it but from what others say, apperantly I cant sing that well lol

No worries, I'd be happy to hear you sing :-D

[Guest JazzySmurf]

Hi Sarah! Sooooo.... what do you do to practice singing? My only experience is singing along to my iPod, so anything beyond that would be new to me :-)

[Guest Sarah Faith]

Hi Sarah! Sooooo.... what do you do to practice singing? My only experience is singing along to my iPod, so anything beyond that would be new to me :-)

Well first thing I did was try to figure out about where my vocal range actually lies, for me I just took a few of my favorite songs and tried to sing along with them. I actually found that my vocal range is very close to the female singer in my favorite band, Lacuna Coil. I could already sing most of the notes that she does in some of their songs where she isn't staying in her higher ranges. I also don't use earbuds or a headset, I listen and work on matching notes via stereo speakers so I can still hear my own voice clearly.

Like I said once I figured out where my range was, I started mainly working with songs that I could already sing most of the notes in with little trouble and just practiced on those. Hitting the higher notes though of course is more of a challenge, so I drew on what I did remember from the lessons I did have as a child. Proper Posture, proper breathing, enduring my throat was hydrated with room temperature water for example. Then I made sure to stretch my jaw till it was loose, and my facial muscles and so on.. really you'll look silly doing all of this but this is what they teach in professional singing lessons or at least what I had learned!

Anyways from there I would start to sing, (Nothing in specific mostly just notes), from my normal middle range up the scales until I reached the highest note I could sing with out slipping into the habit of going falsetto. I then sustain that note for as long as I could before needing another breath, then I would rehydrate and do it again. Once my voice started feeling strained and scratchy I would stop for a few hours or the day, and pick it up later or the next day. I Just kept doing that and practicing actually singing with the songs from the Singer I know my vocal ranges are a close match to!

I always start out with something I can handle, then I would try a song with some notes that I have a hard time with. Along with the other exercises I would just slowly increase the difficulty as my higher ranges opened up (Only way I can really describe it!).

So for example, I could sing Cristina's parts in "I wont tell you" by Lacuna Coil pretty easily some of the notes being a little challenging.. and now I can reach the higher ranges in Trip the Darkness (same band and singers parts). I just got to where I can reach the notes in that one, and there was a time where trying strained my voice almost instantly. I'm not perfectly on key with the highest notes yet but I'll get there.

It just takes a lot of practice and patience really, and of course not trying to sing way out of your vocal range! If you have your female voice down pretty well already, it's really just the same techniques that a natal female would use to develop their singing voice beyond basic ranges.

[Guest JazzySmurf]

mmm... yeah this does look like a really serious practice :-) I tried my normal voice and found it really hard to avoid falsetto! I can definitely see how people spend years mastering their singing voice... this actually makes me appreciate the singing in my iPod that much more. Thanks!!! :-)

[Guest Sarah Faith]

Yeah, it's probably more trouble then its worth especially since I'm not really planning on trying a singing career. I just hate not being able to do something, regardless if its someone telling me no, or my own limitations, so I practice a completely useless skill lol!!

[Guest JazzySmurf]

Hi Sarah! Even though you may not sing professionally, I think it is a wonderful skill to have :-) A good song has the power to brighten anyone's day, or just feel better in general... I would definitely value having someone in my life who can sing. Keep it up!!! Go you :-)